misuse

American  

[mis-yoos, mis-yooz] / mɪsˈyus, mɪsˈyuz /

noun

1. wrong or improper use; misapplication.

   Synonyms:

   misappropriation, misemployment

2. Obsolete. bad or abusive treatment.

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verb (used with object)

misused, misusing

1. to use wrongly or improperly; misapply.

2. to treat badly or abusively; maltreat.

misuse British  

noun

1. erroneous, improper, or unorthodox use

   misuse of words

2. cruel or inhumane treatment

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verb

1. to use wrongly

2. to treat badly or harshly

3. to use (something, esp alcohol, drugs, etc) improperly

Etymology

Origin of misuse

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; mis- ¹, use

Example Sentences

Ward declined the request; The Times later published an article on Dec. 29 about allegations that federal contractors illegally dumped toxic ash and misused contaminated soil in breach of state policy.

From Los Angeles Times

It is the first time an actor has attempted to use trademark law to protect their likeness from AI misuse, his lawyers and an expert said.

From BBC

McConaughey’s lawyers believe that the threat of a lawsuit in federal courts would help deter misuse more broadly, including for AI video that isn’t explicitly selling anything.

From The Wall Street Journal

That narrative confuses the medium with its misuse.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said on Sunday that it issued notices to X earlier in the year to seek tighter measures after it found "repeated misuse" of Grok to generate harmful content.

From BBC

Related Words

• corruption
• exploitation
• harm
• maltreatment
• mistreatment
• prostitution
• squandering
• waste